You’ve just landed a big win, and you’re eager to cash it out. The process (according to the banking page) indicates a specific time. Why is it taking longer, and why hasn’t your casino processed the payment yet? In most cases, it is the dreaded KYC process. This procedure sees the casino require you to prove your identity and residence and, sometimes, even provide proof of payment before they approve your withdrawal.
To ensure that your cashout doesn’t remain stuck in a pending period for extensive periods of time and to be certain that it isn’t cancelled entirely, you may need to clear this step if you haven’t already. When is the best time to do so, and what does clearing the KYC (or Know Your Customer) step involve? In today’s blog, we’re going to unravel this snake and explain it all.
Why Do Casinos Require KYC Details?
Firstly, it isn’t just UK Gambling Commission-licensed casinos and other highly regulated sites that require you to complete a KYC process. Most established and trusted online casinos have some form of KYC set up for you to complete before you can withdraw. The main reason they do this is simple:
– To protect against underage gambling
– To prevent money laundering
– To ensure compliance with any legal issues in your region
– To protect against identity fraud and theft
It isn’t just casinos which require a KYC step. If you have an e-wallet or mobile-centric payment option, you may have encountered this step before. The KYC process can also be part of a privacy protection law, as it often is in the European Union.
How to Clear the KYC Process
If your casino has asked you to clear the KYC process, how do you go about doing that? As it happens, the difficulty of the process can vary from site to site. However, I’ve played at many casinos in my time gambling online and had to undergo various Know Your Customer procedures. Here’s my quick guide to getting it all sorted out rapidly.
#1 Automatic KYC Clearance Upon Sign-up
Firstly, it’s worth noting that it may be possible to clear the KYC step in one fell swoop right from the start. When you choose to register at an online casino, some casinos may permit you to sign up using a service provider, such as Google or PayPal. Some PayPal betting sites allow you to register using your PayPal details, and those are then used to confirm your personal details from the start. In this case, you will only need to provide one or two additional pieces of information later.
#2 Submit Your Documents
If your casino has requested you to submit KYC details and you haven’t done so by joining via an option such as those listed above, you will need to digitally provide documentation, either via customer support or by emailing it to a dedicated address, which is usually detailed on the support page.
The types of documents you must provide are normally straightforward and consist of a national-issued identity card (or a passport) and something that provides your address. The latter could be a bill, a receipt, or another form of “official” document with your residence details on it. After handing over this documentation, you can expect a delay of up to 24 or even 48 hours while those documents are processed.
#3 Additional Verification Measures
On occasion, a casino may also require you to provide additional verification measures. It isn’t uncommon for them to ask for you to provide proof of payment. This may mean bank statements, a copy of your e-wallet transaction or something else. Basically, something which proves that you’re depositing your own money, not someone else’s.
If your behaviour when betting has triggered a red flag, or if you’re trying to withdraw large sums, the site may also ask you for further proof. This may involve a personal phone call, live selfies with or without ID, and an interview process. Luckily, this kind of verification step is rare and is often only reserved for high-rolling players or those who have given the casino cause for concern.
When Do Casinos Ask for KYC Details?
Some online casinos will ask you to clear the KYC process right from the start, sometimes before they’ll even permit you to deposit and play. This is normally the case at state or nationally licensed online casinos. Most require you to provide KYC details when you attempt to withdraw. Of course, there are some casinos which don’t ask for KYC information at all – many cryptocurrency casinos fit that bill.
Ultimately, the casino will have a defined process in play when they ask for KYC details. Personally, I’m in favour of getting that hurdle out of the way as early as possible (shortly after registering) so it doesn’t hinder my withdrawals. In some cases, it is possible to stay under the radar for an extended period of time (potentially indefinitely), depending on your casino’s KYC policy and how you play. Let’s look at that in more detail below.
Tips for Staying Under the Radar
As touched on above, it is possible in some cases that casinos won’t ask you to clear the KYC step for a long period of time, possibly ever. If you can stay under the radar, not trigger any red flags, or pique the interests of the casino withdrawal team, you may get away without triggering the pesky process at all. Here are some of my top tips for flying under the radar when it comes to KYC requests:
- Only withdraw small sums. The smaller the sums you withdraw, the less likely you will be asked for KYC details at casinos.
- Don’t flaunt your cash by lavishly wagering big sums on games. If you do, there is a chance the casino will want you to clear the KYC step to prove you can afford your bets and aren’t wagering with someone else’s money.
- Try not to withdraw every two minutes. The more often you withdraw, the more likely you are to be asked to complete the KYC step.
- Many crypto casinos have much less stringent KYC requests, and some have none. Choosing these sites is ideal if you want to avoid any KYC entanglements when cashing out your winnings.
- Always play from the same locale. When you start switching your VPN location from place to place, there is a chance the casino will suspect that several players are using your account. They may then ask you to verify your identity and location via the KYC step. If they suspect you’re using a VPN, they may even block your account if it breaches their T&Cs.
Can I Play Without Verifying My Personal Details?
It is possible (sometimes) to play at online casinos where you don’t have to verify your identity. However, let me start off by saying that the KYC step, while annoying, is a security measure designed to protect both players and the casino. I’d always do it. Failing to do so could see your account blocked.
Now, if you still want to play at sites without KYC steps, you have a few options. There are many crypto casinos which promote anonymity, and thus, they have low to no KYC steps. There are also no sign-up casinos where you don’t have an account and don’t need to verify anything. There are also no verification casinos which specialise in having no KYC setup. Just ensure that if you go down this route, you pick a safe casino, and many sites with no verification of any kind can be scams. If you want to join no-verification casinos, then I recommend the ones featured on this site, as they have been certified as fair, licensed and trustworthy operators.